Biomethane , the renewable gas obtained from organic waste , is experiencing a pivotal moment in Spain. While the first Andalusian facility has already begun injecting its production into the gas grid, dozens of projects are in various stages of development, but not without generating strong public opposition. From Andalusia to Castile and León, neighborhood platforms are multiplying to halt infrastructure projects that, according to their promoters, are key to the circular economy and decarbonization.
The debate is on. On one side, companies argue that these plants convert slurry, olive pomace, and other waste into clean energy, reduce emissions, and create jobs. On the other, critical groups warn of potential odors, risks to aquifers, and a direct impact on the quality of life in nearby municipalities. This tension has become a recurring issue in many autonomous communities, with local councils beginning to take measures to halt their construction.
Andalusia opens its first operational plant
The Seville-based company AGR Biogás has launched Andalusia's first biomethane plant in La Calahorra (Granada) , which is already injecting gas into the distribution network. Following a €25 million investment, the facility has the capacity to process 104.000 tons of agricultural and livestock waste annually, including chicken manure, pig slurry, olive pomace, and whey, and will produce 58 GWh per year, equivalent to the consumption of 11.000 homes. Furthermore, it prevents the emission of 23.000 tons of CO2 annually and generates approximately 30 direct and indirect jobs.
The process involves the anaerobic fermentation of organic material in sealed digesters, followed by an upgrading treatment that purifies the biogas into biomethane of natural gas quality. Connection to the grid was achieved via a 13-kilometer branch of the Huércal Overa–Guadix–Baza gas pipeline, using a reverse flow mechanism. The plant holds ISCC certification, verifying its sustainability and carbon footprint.
New projects in process
Meanwhile, the list of pending projects continues to grow. In Badajoz, the company Desarrollos Bioenergéticos de Extremadura has applied for integrated environmental authorization for a plant that will process 100.000 tons of olive pomace and olive leaves annually. In Karrantza (Vizcaya), Verdalia Bioenergy is planning a facility that will process 130.000 tons of agricultural and livestock resources and produce 75 GWh annually, with an investment that will create fifty jobs during construction and ten permanent positions starting in 2027. There are also initiatives in Calamocha (Teruel), Villacastín (Segovia), and the Talavera de la Reina region, among others.
All these projects share a commitment to processing local organic waste to generate renewable gas , which, according to the promoters, solves a long-standing problem in the management of slurry and manure. The planned production will be injected into the existing gas pipeline network, without storage at the plants, and will be complemented by systems for biomethane production and multi-stage deodorization, such as activated carbon filters or biofilters.
The neighborhood opposition is organizing
However, the implementation of these infrastructures is encountering growing citizen mobilization . In Calamocha, the Stop Biogas Jiloca platform has submitted objections and collected signatures, warning of the proximity to the town center and the odors it could generate. In Valverde del Majano (Segovia), the Citizens' Platform has called for a demonstration this Thursday, with the unanimous support of the Municipal Council. In Castilléjar (Granada), the "Castilléjar se mueve" association has taken advantage of the "Abrazo al Agua" (Embrace the Water) event to denounce the risk to the aquifers. In Villacastín, the Socialist opposition has launched a petition on Change.org with more than 700 signatures.
Recurring arguments include fears of soil and water contamination, increased truck traffic, and the impact on health . In Talavera, SOS Talavera y Comarca has called for urgent measures given the advanced stage of the permitting process for the plant near Cazalegas, which already has a favorable environmental impact statement. In Karrantza, the Stop Biogas Karrantza Bizirik platform has also called for its rejection, despite the company's assurances that the system is completely closed and airtight.
Administrative measures and municipal response
Faced with this pressure, some city councils are reacting. The Talavera de la Reina City Council has initiated a specific amendment to its Municipal Planning Plan to provisionally suspend the granting of licenses to these types of plants . A supporting technical report has also been requested. In other municipalities, such as Villacastín, the mayor is in favor of the installation if it complies with the law, while the opposition is seeking to halt it through administrative and legal channels.
The processing of these projects depends on the autonomous communities, which must issue the integrated environmental authorization and the environmental impact statement. The procedure usually includes a public consultation period in which citizens can submit objections, and it is precisely during this phase that protests against biogas in Spain are concentrated . Lack of confidence in odor studies and proximity to urban areas are the most contentious issues.
At the European level, biomethane already has more than 1.600 operational plants, mainly in France, Germany, Italy, and Denmark. In Spain, there are barely twenty in operation, and annual production is around 410 GWh, representing 0,12% of gas consumption. However, the sector anticipates exponential growth if social and administrative obstacles are overcome.
Finally, it's worth noting that the expansion of biomethane continues: AGR Biogás maintains a portfolio of over twenty projects across the country, and other companies like Redexis and Moeve are also driving initiatives. Although local opposition may delay or even halt some installations, the trend toward a more circular economy and the need to reduce emissions suggest that these plants will become increasingly common. The key will be finding a balance between energy development and environmental protection, something that requires dialogue and transparency from both sides.
